Bridal Bliss: Aaron and Kyla’s Storybook Wedding

Your votes earned Aaron and Kyla the chance to have the wedding of their dreams. Now the ESSENCE Storybook Wedding winners share their special day with you. See their luxe, celeb-inspired “I dos.”

Loving You

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Aaron and Kyla met in literature class their sophomore year in college. The duo didn’t date until after graduation – when Kyla moved 400 miles away for an internship. Through the distance their love blossomed. Last spring, Aaron wrote a letter to enter the ESSENCE Storybook Wedding that changed their lives. On September 29, 2012 their magical nuptials took place at the Georgia Freight Depot in Atlanta.

Fashion Forward

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Designer Kevan Hall created a custom wedding gown for Kyla to wear on her special day, incorporating her desire for a sweetheart bustier and full skirt. Atlanta boutique Kelly's Closet hosted Kyla’s fitting, where she squealed, “it’s perfect” when the dress arrived.

Something Blue for You

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Kyla’s gown, along with her Jean-Michel Cazabat wedding shoes, were her ‘something new.’ She paid homage to her and Aaron’s alma mater with a Georgia Southern University garter for her ‘something blue.’

Bridal Beauty

Shine Bright

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Kyla’s stepmom offered her diamond bracelet for ‘something borrowed’ and her mom provided her with ‘something old.’ “My mother gave Aaron and I one of her diamonds to use as the center stone in my engagement ring,” she says. “Now a piece of her will always be with me.”

Party Time

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“Having my bridesmaids, my flower girl, my sister, my mom, stepmom and Aaron’s mom all together getting hair and make up was awesome! It kept me from getting nervous.”

Love Of My Life

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One of Aaron’s favorite memories of their time together is driving Kyla back from Indianapolis to Atlanta in a U-Haul truck. “I flew up and packed her up and drove back,” he says. “She’ll say we drove 50/50. It was more like 90/10 of me driving for about 10 hours. I didn’t care and was just happy to have her moving back.”

Falling For You

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It was a series of moments that made Kyla realize she could spend her life with Aaron. “He even came to my rescue and drove from Atlanta when I fell ill on a work trip in Nashville.”

Ribbon In the Sky

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Kyla chose pink and blue for her wedding colors and the shades were present from her invitations to the bridal party.

You've Got Male

Aaron’s groomsmen included his brother, Kyla’s brother and his closest friends since elementary school.

In Rememberance

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To pay tribute to their ancestors, Aaron and Kyla included photos of loved ones who had passed in their decor.

Pretty In PInk

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Kyla chose blush Alfred Angelo dresses in the modern vintage style for her bridesmaids. “As soon as I came across the style, I just knew it was the one,” Kyla says. “It's perfect for outfitting six women with different shapes and sizes. My bridesmaids loved the dresses and how they fit!"

Here Comes the Bride

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Aaron’s tiny cousin announced that Kyla was about to head down the aisle.

Daddy's Little Girl

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Kyla’s dad Byron escorted her down the aisle and also serenaded the couple during the ceremony. “As I was walking down the aisle, I was thinking, don’t trip, my dad should slow down and there’s the love of my life waiting for me!” Kyla remembers.

Someone Like You

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A harpist played “A Whole New World” right before Aaron proposed at Disney World. And, as Kyla walked to the altar, harpist Lyrika Holmes played and sang Adele’s “Make You Feel My Love.

Heart to Heart

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“When I saw Kyla walk down the aisle I thought, wow, she's beautiful,” Aaron says. “I realized that was the first step to our future together.”

Wedding Wonderland

Love's Glow

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Aaron and Kyla were surrounded by friends, family and hundreds of candles as they pledged their love.

Forever Together

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“We decided to do a sand ceremony, which signified blending our two lives into one,” Kyla says. “As hard as it would be to separate those grains of sand, it would be just as difficult to separate Aaron and I.”

Sweet Salute

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After sealing their bond with a kiss, the couple took their first communion as husband and wife.

By Your Side

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“We jumped the broom to sweep away the past and jump into a new future together,” Kyla says.

Surprise, Surprise

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Kyla was shocked when celebrity wedding planner Diann Valentine unveiled the reception space after the ceremony and wowed the couple by placing floral arrangements inside the tables, instead of on top. “I was completely blown away by how she turned my vision into reality,” Kyla says.

I Spy

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Guests dined on top of flowers covered by glass tables.

Sweet Dreams

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The custom candy bar created for the wedding stunned Aaron and fed his sweet tooth.

At Last

After a whirlwind engagement, Aaron and Kyla are all smiles as they enter their reception.

All Eyes On Me

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The bridesmaids and groomsmen put the party in bridal party as they welcomed Aaron and Kyla to the dance floor.

With You

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“Aaron’s character is ultimately what made me realize that he was the one,” Kyla says. “He’s a strong, loving, caring, kind, God-fearing man, and I knew that’s what I wanted and needed.”

Set the Mood

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“The wedding was modern with a bit of edge and southern charm, just like Aaron and Kyla,” Valentine says. “That came across in the dresses, roses and décor.''

Sweet Serenade

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R&B singer Q Parker surprised the couple and sang “Love of My Life” for their first dance. “We love music and some of my favorite memories together are at concerts," Kyla says. "Now our wedding is one of those times."

This Moment for Life

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“Marriage is the pinnacle of a relationship,” Aaron says. “It starts a new family.”

Double Dip

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Guests were served dual entrées, an encrusted chicken stuffed with spinach and Boursin cheese plus beef ­tenderloin in wine, created by the team at Distinctive Capital Caterers. “At a wedding people are looking to try something new,” Valentine adds.

Cheers to You

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Friends and family toasted the couple with miniature bottles of Martini & Rossi Sparkling Rosé.

Dear Momma

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Aaron twirled the first woman in his life, his mother.

Sister, Sister

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Kyla’s Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sisters celebrated her special day.

Calling all the Brothers Out There

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Aaron’s Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity brothers joined him on the dance floor, including his dad, right.

Red and Right

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Kyla surprised Aaron with a groom’s cake of his fraternity letters from Sweet Auburn Bread Co. in Atlanta.

All Aboard

Everybody In

“Early on I saw qualities in Kyla I would want for a wife,” Aaron says. “She’s fun to be around and has a good sense of humor.”

Double Take

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Aaron’s older brother Gabriel served as his best man.

The Sweet Life

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“We thank ESSENCE readers so much for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.” —The Maupins. For more of Aaron and Kyla’s Storybook Wedding pick up the February 2013 issue of ESSENCE, now on stands. Watch their proposal video and see which finalists they beat out here.

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